Engagement and Being Big, Bold and Brash

Do we have to be big or bold or brash to get engagement?

This is a relevant question, whether it’s asked as individual trying to get engagement inside their organisation, or solopreneur trying to get traction around their ideas and offerings, or how an organisation shows up in its marketplace.

To be very upfront on this – while I don’t think you have to be, when it comes to myself as a solopreneur trying to get attention and trying to get business, I am constantly wondering if am getting this wrong.

Here's my thoughts, and I’d like you to share your thoughts with me in return:

1. Engagement is Togetherness – not Dominance or Influence or whatever else

Authoritarian leaders achieve engagement in the form of compliance through force. I am not seeking to comment on the morality of this, but rather the functionality. These only have engagement as long as the force directs it and compels it. The hands may be engaged in the behaviour, but the heart is not engaged in affection. Hence, they are not always very effective, despite having compliance.

But we know that in our families and among our friends, engagement is not about force. It is about connection, authenticity and safety.

Scale that up from the family size into a group or organisation, and we all know what it is to be engaged. And I hope we’ve all experienced being in the high performing environments, where it is togetherness that is our power. Force does not achieve this engagement – look to the best sports teams to see this.

2. However, Engagement beings with Awareness

In order to engage anyone, there must first be awareness, where attention is caught, and then action is created.

And certainly, being big or bold or brash (BBB) are ways to get attention, and perhaps the ones we lean for on an evolutionary level (consider mating dances to show one’s plumage). On a purely attention-getting level, in a busy marketplace, they are pattern interrupting.

But there are other ways to create awareness. Consistency with clarity is one. Being different is another, which can be done without needing to be BBB. The most powerful is to have a crowd (although we have the issue, how do you get the crowd in the first place?)

As much as a politician may rally a crowd through their BBB, it’s actually the fact that OTHERS are following them which creates the movement, not the words alone.

And let us not forget that when it comes to politics, those who live by the BBB will die by BBB!

3. Awareness -> Action… there are different motivators

Force will make people take action. As will consequence. As will ease. As will the actions of others.

I like the Tao Te Ching on this: “Nothing in the world is softer and water than water. Yet nothing is better at overcoming the hard and the strong… Water gives life to ten thousands things and does not strive.”

4. People are drawn to what gives them their own voice

Celebrities are a great example of seeing how awareness is caught and reputation is built. People like people who help them give voice to their own views – these characters are like north stars to us.

Madonna and later Lady Gaga were amazing at the pattern interrupt, the crazy stunts. Along with all the rock stars and such, all leveraging BBB (for a while, at least)

But then we have Leonard Cohen or Ed Sheeran or Lewis Capaldi, all with different energies. But mostly, they give voice to others, and we are drawn to them, despite how they aren’t BBB.

5. Perhaps, the thing is the vulnerability to be you, but stand up as you

So perhaps, yes, the thing is the vulnerability to be you, and then STAND UP as you, and put your head out there. Not necessarily as BBB. Maybe instead as CCC - Clear, Calm, and Centred?